Floating Screw Turbine With Adjustable Deflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating screw turbine devices do not maximize energy conversion from liquid flow due to fixed geometry of rear deflectors/diffusors, and they lack durability and safety features such as vibration minimization and fish-friendly design.
Innovation Solution
The use of adjustable rear deflectors/diffusors, connected via hinges and regulated by hydraulic or electromechanical actuators, to optimize fluid velocity across the ducts, combined with a V-shaped screw turbine configuration and durable construction to enhance power extraction and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed geometry rear deflectors/diffusors are used in screw turbine devices, then the device structure is simple, but energy conversion efficiency is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rear deflector geometry adjustable rather than fixed. The deflector can change its pitch angle to optimize fluid flow velocity across the ducts under different operating conditions, thereby maximizing energy extraction. This transforms a static component into a dynamic one that adapts to varying flow conditions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the pitch angle of the rear deflector to optimize performance. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system can maximize fluid velocity across the ducts and thereby maximize power extraction. This directly addresses the contradiction by showing that changing a key geometric parameter improves energy conversion efficiency while the adjustment mechanism keeps overall complexity manageable.
2Power
If adjustable deflectors/diffusors are used to maximize power extraction, then energy conversion efficiency increases, but device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pitch parameter of the rear deflector to optimize power extraction. By adjusting this single critical parameter, the system achieves up to 50% increase in power extraction while avoiding the need for complex multi-parameter adjustment systems. This focused parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between power extraction and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability of the rear deflector pitch angle, allowing the system to adapt to varying flow conditions and maximize power extraction in real-time. This dynamic capability increases power output while the mechanism design keeps the added complexity manageable through focused adjustment of a single critical component.
3Productivity
If optimized deflector geometry is used to maximize fluid velocity, then power extraction increases, but manufacturing and adjustment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pitch parameter of the rear deflector to maximize fluid velocity across the ducts. By focusing optimization on this single geometric parameter rather than redesigning the entire deflector geometry, the system achieves significant productivity improvements while keeping manufacturing processes relatively simple and familiar.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable deflectors/diffusors increase power extraction by up to 50% and ensure durability and safety by minimizing vibrations and protecting marine life, while allowing for efficient conversion of kinetic energy into rotary motion.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid flow, i.e. its kinetic energy, is converted by means of turbines to rotary motion
Implementation Method 2
each deflector/diffusor modifies the liquid flow through the corresponding duct
Data Source
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AI summary
A floating screw turbine device with adjustable rear deflectors/diffusors (80, 90) is disclosed. Three pontoons (10, 20, 30), spaced apart, carry water ducts (40, 50) in which screw turbines (60, 70) are mounted. Screw turbines (60, 70), mounted in a V configuration, have mirror symmetrical pitches of the screws measured over the centre of symmetry that passes through the central pontoon (20). Such a configuration minimizes the vibration of the said device. Rear deflectors/diffusors (80, 90) have an adjustable pitch relative to the floors of the water ducts (40, 50) by which they can affect the water flow velocity through the said water ducts (40, 50). In one embodiment, the optimum pitch is selected according to the previously performed computational fluid dynamics simulation for the said device, where the said pitch is changed using hydraulic or electromechanical actuators. In another variant an artificial neural network (ANN) is taught to model a global function of the system dynamics in order to achieve optimal operation.